ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 13

Raindrops began falling harder and harder, soaking every cats' pelts. No cat moved a muscle. Other than angry hissing from the rogues, every cat was silent. Mintpool stared at Echoleaf, her former Clanmate staring right back, green gaze meeting green gaze. Shock simmered through the gray tabby. What's Echoleaf doing here? How did she find the rogue camp?

Suddenly, thunder boomed in the sky. This seemed to snap every cat out of their frozen state. Instantly, anger simmered over Mintpool's shock, her tail lashing as she glared at Echoleaf. And, more than anger, she was worried. Worried that Echoleaf would now know that she was a rogue. Worried that the gray she-cat would report back to Thistlestar. Worried that her plan wouldn't work. No. I can't let that happen.

The rogues began stalking forward, eyes glimmering eagerly to sink their claws into Echoleaf's pelt. 

The AirClan medicine cat's eyes glowed with fear as she stepped back, tail-tip twitching. "I- Mintpool, what is this?" Mintpool flicked her tail. So she doesn't seem to think that I'm a rogue yet.

Before the gray tabby could answer, Holly padded up besides her, brushing their pelts together. "Who's she?"

The gray tabby twitched her pelt. "That's Echoleaf. She was my former mentor." Anger sank through her. "She didn't say a single thing when I was exiled."

Holly's gaze was unreadable. "Well, then don't be polite to her."

Mintpool gaped at the golden tabby. She'd been planning to act as though the rogues had captured her. Don't be polite? Wouldn't Echoleaf now know that she was a rogue? "But she might report back to Thistlestar-"

"She can't report anything if she doesn't return." The golden tabby's gaze glimmered as she slunk back into the crowd.

The rogues were getting more and more restless. The only reason they hadn't yet attacked, Mintpool realized, was because they were waiting to see if Cobrastrike approved of it. She glanced at the gray tom. Her friend's yellow gaze was unreadable as he stepped forward. "Echoleaf."

The AirClan medicine cat's eyes widened. "Cobrastrike? What is this?"

Cobrastrike flicked his tail. "What do you think it is? I've always found you quite clever. Don't prove me wrong."

Echoleaf's eyes widened as she began to realize. "The rogue camp-"

"Indeed," the gray tom agreed. Rain began pouring from the sky, faster and faster, drenching every cat, but Mintpool barely noticed, her eyes fixed on the scene. "Now, you've found the rogue camp. I can't let you go and tell Thistlestar. But, tell me. How did you find us?"

Echoleaf stepped backwards, eyes fearful. "I'll tell you if you let me go."

Cobrastrike purred, although there was no amusement in it. "You're in no position to make demands. I can live without knowing how you found our camp, but your life may end very soon if you don't tell me. Now, answer the question." 

Echoleaf gulped. "I found you by the yowls."

"The yowls?" For a moment, Cobrastrike seemed confused, his cold and unbothered posture ruined as he stepped back, puzzled.

Realization dawned on Mintpool. The yowls from her and Snarl's battle! 

"Yes." Echoleaf lifted her muzzle. "How dare you! I never thought you were this kind of cat, Cobrastrike! Joining the rogues is one thing, but capturing Mintpool and torturing her is another!"

Surprised jolted through the gray tabby. She thought... she thought the rogues captured me?

Echoleaf growled. "I was just out picking herbs, when I heard her yowls of pain. I came to investigate! And thank StarClan I did, look at her! She's covered in wounds! And now you threaten me as well? The rogues are truly cruel!"